Ohio's craft brewers are a productive lot

Photo by MARC GOLUB
Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland produces about 145,000 barrels of beer per year -- the highest total in the state, with the exception of the Sam Adams operation in Cincinnati.

The latest production numbers for Ohio's craft breweries speak vats-full about the quality of and demand for their brew.The Buckeye State ranked No. 4 in the United States in craft brewery production in 2012, at about 981,000 barrels, behind California (2.45 million barrels), Pennsylvania (1.63 million) and Colorado (1.29 million), and ahead of Oregon (764,226), according to the Brewers Association.“The craft beer industry is pretty tight, and Ohio is viewed as a pretty strong power player,” said Bart Watson, staff economist for the Colorado-based industry advocacy organization.Boston Beer Co.'s production plant in Cincinnati helps juice Ohio's figures, though they also reflect a sizable gain among the number of craft breweries in Ohio, which since 1995 have surged to 86 today from 14. Eleven licenses are pending with the state's liquor board.Aside from Cincinnati's Sam Adams operation, Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland commands the state's craft beer production, at about 145,000 barrels.

The concentration of craft breweries in Northeast Ohio — which at 37 represent nearly half the state's market — underscore the region's influence in the national specialty beer market, said John Najeway, vice president of Ohio Craft Brewers Association.“This isn't an overnight success story; this is a decade in the making,” said Mr. Najeway, owner of Akron-based Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., a 17-year-old operation that is the region's second-largest brewery, with annual production of about 15,000 to 20,000 barrels. Some local industry observers and brewers have expressed concern about whether Ohio's craft beer market is becoming oversaturated. Mr. Najeway dismisses that perspective.“Restaurants continue to open, and some close, but few breweries close even as more come online,” he said. “People like selection, and that's what will keep quality, consistent craft brewers growing.”

Beer Week is near

Meanwhile, the Cleveland-Akron area craft beer market continues to flex its muscle as a destination for beer lovers, with the momentum surrounding this year's fifth annual Cleveland Beer Week as an example, said event director Christine Montague. Cleveland Beer Week, which runs Oct. 18-26, features 205 domestic and international craft producers that distribute their brew in Cuyahoga County. It's a participation level that is up from 185 last year.

The annual celebration of craft beer includes 350-plus tastings, dinners, educational programs and other activities at bars, restaurants and grocers in Cuyahoga County. A Sept. 27 Yahoo news story listed Cleveland Beer Week as one of the nation's top 10 beer festivals.Its capstone event, Brewzilla, which is set for Oct. 26 at the Galleria at Erieview in downtown Cleveland, annually sells out with 2,000 patrons. This year, 80 local and international breweries will descend upon the beer- tasting extravaganza, with participation from Ohio breweries growing from about a dozen in 2009 to 22 this year.“Cleveland's a very attractive market for craft brewers in terms of production and consumption,” Ms. Montague said. “We're often one of the very first roll-out locations for out-of-state brewers who are looking to expand their markets. We have a lot of influence in the industry.”

More tasty morsels

Fat Head's, which has a brewpub in North Olmsted and a production operation in Middleburg Heights, was the only multiple award winner from Ohio during the Great American Beer Festival competition held Oct. 10-12 in Denver. Fat Head's won a gold and two silver medals for its Hop Juju imperial India pale ale, Trail Head fresh hop ale and Black Knight schwarzbier, respectively. Akron-based Hoppin' Frog Brewery won bronze for its barrel-aged B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher, and Ohio City's Market Garden Brewery nabbed bronze for its Progress Pilsner. According to ohio.com, this was the state's best showing at the world's largest commercial beer competition since 1999. Here are all the winners.

Geneva was named one of the nation's best secret wine cities, according to this MSN story. Twenty wineries operate within or near the bucolic town, and more are expected to open next spring.

On the national scene

Proper tax planning could result in significant savings for microbreweries and brewpubs. Here are three tax-saving provisions that apply to the beer industry, according to this Craft Brewing Business story.

Even though we're still judicious about spending, consumers — especially millennials — are placing a premium on brands that promote social awareness and a healthy lifestyle, according to this BloombergBusinessweek report.

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